Seymour Hersh Exposes New US Covert Operations In Iran (VIDEO)

The New Yorker's Seymour Hersh reports on how the Bush Administration has stepped up covert operations against Iran:

Late last year, Congress agreed to a request from President Bush to fund a major escalation of covert operations against Iran, according to current and former military, intelligence, and congressional sources. These operations, for which the President sought up to four hundred million dollars, were described in a Presidential Finding signed by Bush, and are designed to destabilize the country's religious leadership. The covert activities involve support of the minority Ahwazi Arab and Baluchi groups and other dissident organizations. They also include gathering intelligence about Iran's suspected nuclear-weapons program.

Clandestine operations against Iran are not new. United States Special Operations Forces have been conducting cross-border operations from southern Iraq, with Presidential authorization, since last year. These have included seizing members of Al Quds, the commando arm of the Iranian Revolutionary Guard, and taking them to Iraq for interrogation, and the pursuit of "high-value targets" in the President's war on terror, who may be captured or killed. But the scale and the scope of the operations in Iran, which involve the Central Intelligence Agency and the Joint Special Operations Command (JSOC), have now been significantly expanded, according to the current and former officials. Many of these activities are not specified in the new Finding, and some congressional leaders have had serious questions about their nature.

Under federal law, a Presidential Finding, which is highly classified, must be issued when a covert intelligence operation gets under way and, at a minimum, must be made known to Democratic and Republican leaders in the House and the Senate and to the ranking members of their respective intelligence committees--the so-called Gang of Eight. Money for the operation can then be reprogrammed from previous appropriations, as needed, by the relevant congressional committees, which also can be briefed.

Read Hersh's full report here.

Watch Hersh discuss his article on CNN below:

Comments

[riverhouse]

When you ask Americans about our country they love to talk of freedom and justice, democracy and a sense of fair play. They love the democratic process as it's written in books. They love all the symbols and fluttering flags and and sweet songs. The problem is that's the America of their dreams. Under Bush Cheney we have now become the torturing, invading, rapacious, lying, election stealing, corrupt America, broke and disgraced. But there are no freedom loving patriotic Americans in the street protesting this new version of our country. No outraged citizens, no uprising in the Houses of Congress. The bells are tolling for us, people. Another foreign war will be the end of the America we know and love.

[jeanrenoir]

This is exactly on target. Bush/Cheney have moved us far down the line towards a fascist war state. We can complain about Texas oil interests, blood for oil, and all the rest, all we want. But the political muscle behind the move towards fascism in Washington comes from AIPAC more than Exxon. AIPAC has basically taken over the American government by making both parties dependent on the financial support of wealthy Jews, and making all politicians terrified of wealthy Jewish donors punishing them for any movement away from lock-step support for Israel. Israel, AIPAC, and the Jewish donors understandably all feel morally justified in using any means necessary to keep Israel from being annihilated by its hostile neighbors. But we Americans have got to fight for the survival of America, too. At this point, our survival as a free democracy depends on waking up to the Israel Lobby and fighting its takeover of the American government.

[helonias]

Its hot outside and Americans have ESPN to watch

[fumes]

''But there are no freedom loving patriotic Americans in the street protesting this new version of our country. No outraged citizens, no uprising in the Houses of Congress.'' untrue, google ron paul

[comacoma]

Ah yes.. .another inmate to run the asylum....

[rajoro]

Finally a Jewish organization (soon to be powerful lobbyist group) that represents real Jewish American voters and progressive Israelis! Go check this out and send a donation. FIGHT AIPAC!!!

http://www.jstreet.org

Their position on Iran: http://www.jstreet.org/page/iran

US policy towards Iran is not working. The threat of a nuclear Iran, its destabilizing regional influence and the vile rhetoric of its President are all real. Yet existing policy based on saber-rattling, threats and sanctions has neither resolved the nuclear issue nor changed Iranian behavior. Instead, American policy has only served to strengthen hardliners in Tehran, just as the Iraq war has enhanced Iran's regional influence and standing.

J Street recognizes the existing and potential threats represented by the Iranian regime. However, we believe that the United States should have in its diplomatic toolbox the option of direct high-level negotiations with Iran to address all issues of mutual concern. This would include, in addition to the nuclear issues, ending Iranian opposition to the Arab-Israeli peace process and its provision of material support to groups using violence against the US and Israel in Iraq, the Palestinian territories and Lebanon.

The informal Iranian negotiating proposal of 2003 (PDF) - a product of Swiss-Iranian dialogue - conveyed to the US via Swiss officials provides on example of what the diplomatic option might look like. Congress should undertake active and effective oversight and ensure respect for its role in authorizing any military operation or action targeting Iran.

[apduncan1]

Pray tell: How many atomic bombs does Israel have so far in its arsenal?

[Glowcy]

didn't Jimmy Carter tell us that Israel has something like 150 atom bombs in inventory? didn't people get slightly pissed at JC for for stating something that no one denied?

[BlueStateMan]

Did you read the post?

[MacTheBlogger]

First of all, I don't think we should be in Iraq. I'm not even convinced we should have a military presence in Afghanistan. Not to mention South Korea, Japan, Germany, etc.

That said, it's quite clear that Iran does not need an international intelligence agency. They have the Mr. Hersh, The New Yorker, and The New York Times to keep them in the loop. Is it okay with everyone that our press proudly exposes our covert military operations around the world?

Also, if and when President Obama decides to run or allow a covert military operation, I assume it will be fine with everyone here when our press exposes it, significantly damaging its effectiveness? Or is this just about wrecking everything Bush does until his blessed departure in January?

This smells like politics to me, and I must wonder if we're doing even more damage than Bush is.

[Dannydel]

'wrecking everything Bush does'

Firstly, everything Bush seems to do, is counterproductive, based on 'his gut;, and usually meets with broad derision from the rational segment of the press and world governments

Then again, there are those who believe he doesn't actually DO anything. After all, a man who has admitted he doesn't read the paper or watch the news, and whose every utterance seems more uninformed and embarassing to his own country than the last, doesn't really need the democrats help in wrecking the world, he's done a bang up job on his own,

[snarkopolitan]

Hersh's sources are frequently military and intelligence officers who are horrified by what they see as disastrous policies that will damage the organizations they value. It was Hersh who broke the Abu Ghraib story. Obviously knowledge of this scandal damaged the U.S.'s reputation around the world, but should it have been suppressed? Exposure stopped it.

Exposing operations leading to another war against another country that has not attacked us may keep that war from happening. In any case Iran is likely aware of these operations; it's just the American people who aren't.

[apduncan1]

I'm glad is happening... we are becoming the Germany of the 1930s.

The invasion of Iraq is exactly the same as the invasion of Poland by Germany for its iron ore; GWB is an Adolf Hitler wannabe that has to be stopped.

[tarryd]

Hey Mr Mac, it is not about the press wanting to wreck everything Bush does, it is about our military leaking information in order to prevent a third war. They could speak out publicly but then they would find themselves out on the street (and silenced) like so many generals and admirals have recently. It also signals the administration that if they keep pushing for a third war they will have some serious and very public resistence from the military. God, bless'em. They are the real patriots!

[skyreader7]

You mean like like the smell when Bush and Cheney exposed one of their own CIA secret operations? That kind of smell?

[RoloTomassi]

We? Ya gotta mouse in your pocket there, sparky?

YOur concerns are unfounded; giventhat the MSM has been in the pocket of BushCo from the beginning, you can rest assured that nothing unintentional happened in regards to this article and the information it provides [and I suspect it only includes as much information as BushCo deemed acceptable].

Had this article come from a McClatchy reporter, then you might have a point--not surprisingly, there's nothing come out through McClatchy outlets on this, so make of that what you will....

[hope]

Dobson, Hagee, Parsley, Falwell, Robertson, Haggard......

I guess the bushies figure why should America be the only ones with a destabilized 'religious leadership'.

[Dannydel]

Don't look now, but religion has been the destabilizing factor in the entire world. In this country, the right wing christian conservative hypocrites spread hate like it was going out of style. The sooner we rid ourselves of these two faced, greedy princes in polyester, the better off w'ell be.

[peacekitten]

the middle east may be de-stabilized.

the "religious leaders" you have listed make us appear deranged.

[uvymopkq]

We all owe the New Yorker and Seymour Hersh a big thank you for the invaluable aid they give to Iran.

[SouthpawSass]

Yes, because Iranians are evil and we Americans have God on our side...

[mccabe49]

southpaw I hope you are being sarcastic.

[loria]

It is better that our government keep us in the dark about going to war in Iran and that we bury our head in the sand. One day we will wake up and find ourselfves at war with Iran. Don't you know that total devotion to Bush is so yesterday? Come out of your fog and realize that our country can't continue on its present path. Who do you think is going to fight these wars. I am sure it won't be you.

[adavis08]

The Iranians already were aware that this was going on. Americans were the only ones being keep in the dark. Ahmadinejad has been talking about the Us planning a strike against his country for a long time. We aren't the only ones that have intelligence. There was also an attemp on his life earlier this year, the US was probably behind that. Wake UP!

[CallMeDeaconBlues]

Let's not leave out GE and the Europeans who helped bank roll their sagging economy due to sanctions.

[RoloTomassi]

You're not really that dense, are you?

[BlueStateMan]

Look who you're asking.

[dwmulenex]

been there, failed doing that. The CIA in the 1950s reinstalled the Shah of Iran, and for 20 years backed a repressive and brutal regime that tough the Ayatollah Khomeini how to run the Islamic Republic with equal brutality. Now we have the wily Khatami and his stooge Ahmadinejad. The U.S. covert operations are not new in Iran, yet we don't really know much about Iran. The idea of gentlemanly spying as an alternative to a McCheney attack this year or next seems ok to me. But I hope those who read Hirsh understand that believing that we are laying the groundwork to invade and be greeted as liberators by a capable democratic resistance that will gladly fork over their country and their oil and gas, is sadly mistaken, and too much like believing that Cheney creature Ahmed Chalabi on Iraq. Countries that are a mess politically when they are invaded, remain a political mess long afterwards. I tell anyone who will listen that they should get a good satellite map of Iran and look at the terrain that will hide Shia and Sunni freedom fighters until the end of time if any of our leaders are stupid enough to commit land forces to an attack on Iran. Fallon was right. More spies, fewer guns, and no license to kill.

[Raymondf]

Setting up Iran for the Israeli Air assault.

[katzooks]

STOP THE WAR IN IRAN BEFORE IT STARTS! I can't seem to get my posts to go through with web links to petitions to protest the war in Iran. You can find all the links at canary papers (typed as one word in google) to protest the war, plus get background info.

[shaunmarie]

I am of two minds about this.

I hate the right wing, and I distrust every single thing they do. I do not feel that they currently are operating on behalf of the people of the United States, and I strongly suspect their motives in the current animosity towards iran. I feel that diplomacy is a far better weapon - people with nothing left to lose become terroists.

On the other hand, there are real politics involved here. Covert operations are a necessary part of any national defense.... and exposing covert ops is a dnagerous game (of course, these ops are covert only to the American people - Iran fully knows what is going on....)

A president and a national security council does need some leeway in secret ops. Too bad we don't trust this president.

[UncleHomer]

This seems like a contradiction to me. You are right about the only people who didn't know about it is the people paying for it; the American people.

Also this is exactly why the people of Iran hate us to begin with. The US overthrow of their democratically elected prime minister and the installation of the Shaw of Iran and his death squads.

Finally, Iran's president, Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, must not be as crazy as the western media would like to make him out to be. He's been complaining about the US interference in Iran's internal affairs for quite some time now.

[Whipsmart13]

The people of Iran do not hate us.....read the news. The folks that hate us are the elitists in power that continue to get rich over there at the expense of the general public. These elitists have used the U.S. for years as a way to distract the masses away from the poor quality of life that the masses "enjoy". However, that has been changing and more and more Iranians are being vocal against their government. If "we" are helping these folks (women who have been discriminated against, gays/lesbians who have been murdered, intellectuals who have been tortured, etc) with bring down their repressive government, then I am all for it.

[BlindedbytheSlight]

"Covert operations are a necessary part of any national defense.... and exposing covert ops is a dnagerous game"

I wonder how many here would agree with this basic and rational premise?

I don't think many would.

[Leonard]

I totally agree, however given the history of this administration...I don't trust their judgement to do much of anything except to pack up and move out of our house finally.!

Getting rid of Sadaam could have been done covertly since they were so hell bent on doing it.

The entire war on terror should be covert instead of conventional war!

[ICanHasDemocracy]

and that's exactly the reason why these things come to light. We can't trust Bush not to screw it up on execution and follow through.

[spiderbucket]

This administration has proven itself unworthy of any trust on our part and must be scrutinized at every turn.

[Leonard]

Don't believe him either...but I am very frightened of what he and Cheney will do before Election Day.

[LeonBNJ]

The right wing will label Hirsh an unpartroic frend of terrorists. I label him as a real hero and patriot. He is one of the last journalists with real ethics to his his real masters, the general public. Maybe laws were broken as to national security as to the disclosure of this info and someone may be proscuted, but in this case it should be hailed as acts of patriots.
This is probably one of the most important stories of the year suggesting the probablility of an attack in Iran this fall and it's terrible implications. Yes, the military does perpare for various possible situations, but the planning discussed in the article goes beyond those needs. WE all need to tell our Congressmembers and Senators to pass a veto proof law to ban any such attack, to suspend the moneies for covert ops within Iran and realize it is an act of war beyond the President's authority.

[SiberianRat]

Yes!! I've already written to mine--EVERYONE needs to voice their opposition to yet another military catastrophe from the Bush regime.

[Gumby123]

I disagree with the operation as well but I doubt that it helps our national security when the NYT reports CIA covert plans.

[peacekitten]

something else well worth considering before we allow our government, or worse yet, "vote" another one in, that thinks "bomb bomb bomb, bomb bomb iran" is such a great idea, is that the russian government delivered one hundred pounds of enriched uranium to iran for use in its nuclear energy reactors last year. russia has also made no bones about the fact that if iran is attacked, they will show their displeasure in tangible ways.

we should never forget the old, morbidly humorous joke during the days of chernobyl......

what's the five day forecast for kiev?

three days.

[SouthpawSass]

Does Iran pose an imminent danger to the security of the United States?

[WIpatriot]

...with a little help, anything is possible....

[SouthpawSass]

Ahhh, a glass half full kinda person... lol

[apduncan1]

No.

[NTO08]

Iran says it will block oil lanes if attacked...in news of Iraq, this alarming little tidbit:
US Raid Kills Maliki Relative; Crisis Grows Over US-Iraq Agreement
by: Hannah Allam, McClatchy Newspapers
Baghdad, Iraq - Senior Iraqi government officials said Saturday that a U.S. Special Forces counterterrorism unit conducted the raid that reportedly killed a relative of Iraqi Prime Minister Nouri al Maliki, touching off a high-stakes diplomatic crisis between the United States and Iraq.
U.S. military officials in Baghdad had no comment for the second day in a row, an unusual position for a command that typically releases information on combat operations within 24 hours. »

[SouthpawSass]

Geez, using fear of Iran to justify an invasion. How original...

Don't fall for it people...

[WIpatriot]

Naw, the peeps is too smart for THAT to happen....again.

[SouthpawSass]

I'm beginning to wonder...

[bronxlcsw]

Well all this does is make me even more angry and can you say $12 gallon gas. This is insane. We need some to Impeach these war criminals.